Four Ways You Can Help Your Child Deal with Stress

We all know how common it is for adults to suffer from stress and anxiety, but what people don't always realize is that kids are feeling their own share of pressure, worries, and responsibilities which can lead to stress for them. It would be great to think that kids don't have a worry in the world, but that's just not true at all. Kids can feel stressed about school, friends, their home life, and more.Just like with adults, the build-up of stress can affect them both mentally and physically, which is why it’s important that parents recognize the signs and symptoms early, and step in to help.

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So how can you help your child to deal with and cope with stress in a healthy way? Here are four steps you can take.

Practice Your Listening Skills

One of the best ways that kids can go about dealing with stress is to talk about how they are feeling and the pressure they are under. What this means is that you need to encourage them to talk to you, and you need to be able to listen. They have to feel it is safe to talk to you, that you won’t judge them, or get them in trouble, basically creating a safe haven for them. If they ask for input you can certainly give it, but listening is extremely important.

 

Don't Ignore Warning Words

There are also warning words that you should be watching for. Your child may not realize that the stress is getting to them, or they may not be ready to talk about it. This means you need to listen for words such as "don't like", "bothering", "worrying", etc. These are often the words kids use when they are feeling stressed but aren't exactly sure how to vocalize it.

 

Scale Back on the Scheduling

While you may think that it's important to schedule your child's time, in reality you may be doing more harm than good. Sometimes parents can go a bit overboard and end up over-scheduling the kids, which leads to stress and anxiety. There should always be downtime included in the schedule, and the schedule itself needs to be flexible.

 

Speak to a Professional

If it feels like the steps you are taking with your child aren't helping, and they are still quite stressed, it may be wise to speak to a professional therapist who deals with kids. The ELEOS Psychology Center is a great example of the type of professionals that can help. The therapists at ELEOS excel in dealing with children of all ages helping them to work through their problems and stress, and also provide you with the tools and insight you need that can make things smother all around.

 

Giving Your Child the Support and Help They Need

Stress can be a pretty difficult thing to deal with, especially for kids who aren’t even sure what it is they are going through. Providing them with help, support, and love can teach them how to handle stress in a healthy and productive way, which will set them up for success in their adult years.

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Frequently Asked Child Support Law Questions

Sometimes relationships do not work out, and that is okay.  Bringing a child into the world does not change this fact.  However, every child should have both parents in their life, and both parents should be contributing to the child’s wellbeing.  It is the best interest of the child that the parents are civil and work together as a parental team despite not being involved romantically.  

Do I Even Need A Child Support Attorney?

The first thing to ask yourself is, do you need a child support attorney? In cases where parents can come together and agree on how they will contribute to the child’s life financially and otherwise, an attorney may not be necessary.  But, in a not so perfect world, if an agreement cannot be reached, you may need to contact an attorney to help you get the support your child needs.  

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What Does Child Support Cover?

First and foremost, child support is about the child or children involved.  There is not always a system in place to monitor how child support is distributed which can cause problems when spent inappropriately.  In theory, the child support payment is supposed to do exactly what the name suggests.  The money should be used to improve and maintain the wellbeing of the children.  The child’s way of life should not be diminished because his or her parent’s separation.  

How Is The Amount Of Child Support Calculated?

Your child support attorney is most likely going to help you determine the appropriate amount of child support to request.  In the end, it is up to the judge to decide the amount of child support to be paid.  It is going to depend heavily on the income of both parents and the needs of the child or children.  The number of children is going to play a role as well.  In some cases, whether or not the receiving parent is married may be a factor as well.  The amount is usually a fixed percentage of the income of the parent which also accounts for fluctuations in their income.  

What Happens When The Child Or Children Turn 18 Years Old?

Depending on which state you live the answer may vary.  Some states allow child support payments to cease at the age of 18.  However, many states will require coverage until the child reaches 23 years of age, especially if the child attends college.

What If The Parent Cannot Or Refuses To Pay?

A child support attorney is going to be needed if a parent refuses to pay the child support determined necessary, especially if they are able to do so and are simply refusing to pay.  If a parent is truly unable to pay child support, and cannot work for a legitimate reason, arrangements can be made.  But for an able-bodied parent, payments are mandatory once the judge orders it.  Fighting child support payments must then be done through the court system.  

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Top 6 crossbreeds that are great with children and other dogs

Today, the mixed breed dogs have it all. Mix two pure races, and you will get the best of both in one cute puppy. Most of them are known for being great family dogs, getting along with adults and children alike, but also with other animals, such as cats or birds. Many crossbreed dogs are also known for not shedding, which makes them exceptionally good for people with allergies who still want to adopt a dog.

Photo by Seth Weisfeld, image:unsplash.com/photos/EfZAKUxMP9E

So, if you’re looking to adopt a dog and asking yourself if you should get a mixed breed one or not, our answer is: go for it! And if you are not convinced yet, then go on, and discover our list of the best mixed breed dogs for families!

Related source: Lab mix dogs

Here comes our top 6!

1.   The Maltipoo

Even this dog’s name is full of cuteness! The Maltipoo is a cross between a Maltese and a Poodle. Not only are these small beauties extremely smart, they are also very friendly and great to be around children. Playful and good natured, they make for excellent life companions. They are also pretty small, which means that they don’t take up much space, and that makes them perfect for people with small houses or apartments.

2.   The Puggle

We know, Puggle rhymes with Muggle, but that doesn’t make these cute dogs any less exceptional. A cross between the Beagle and the Pug, these dogs are adorably playful, and are great around elderly and children alike. They are friendly and get along easily with other animals as well.

There is one thing though about Puggles, and it’s that they bark a lot, which can make them quite noisy. But that’s nothing good training can’t arrange.

3.   The Labradoodle

Again, a mixed breed with a cute name. The Labradoodle is, as you have already guessed it, a mix between a Poodle and a Labrador Retriever. This dog is one of the friendliest around, getting perfectly along with humans and animals alike.

Smart, playful, and friendly, they make for an excellent companion, especially to the elderly. Another great thing about the Labradoodle (beside its magnificent name of course), is that it’s a hypoallergenic dog that doesn’t shed too much. It’s also quite big, so, only adopt one if you have enough space for him to run around and enjoy himself!

4.   The Pomsky

Ah, the Pomsky, definitely one of the cutest creatures on earth (or in the universe, unless there are cuter alien pets out here). The Pomsky is a mix between a Siberian Husky and a Pomeranian. This dog is usually of medium built (due to the fact that one of his parents is a small dog and the other is quite big) that shades constantly, which means that if you have an allergy, stay away from this adorable ball of fur. But, if you don’t, know that the Pomsky is a smart, sometimes silly dog that loves to play around and is great around kids.

5.   The Cockapoo

Don’t laugh at the Cockapoo’s name, for he is a magnificent breed of dogs! Here’s a riddle for you: what do you get when you cross a Cocker Spaniel with a Poodle? The cutest ball of energy in the world!

The Cockapoo (try not to laugh at the name) is a funny dog that doesn’t take itself too seriously. But, that doesn’t mean that this breed is not smart! The Cockapoo is clever, easy to train, and absolutely loves hanging out with people, especially children. This mixed breed has a kind nature, which makes it perfect as a “therapy dog” for people who need one. His small built also makes him perfect for apartments.

6.   The Goldador

This name sounds badass, right? Well, the Goldador is a badass crossbreed. A mix between a Golden Retriever and a Labrador Retriever, the Goldador inherited all the greatest aspects of these already great breeds.

Energetic, loyal, and kind, the Goldador is a devoted dog that would go to any extent to please his owners. Great around children as well as elderly people, it’s the perfect dog for those who want to battle their loneliness, since you’ll never feel alone with this beautiful ball of fur.

Being extremely smart and sociable, the Goldador gets along with other pets as well, and makes for the perfect family dog!

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